Elydes Chapter 101: Generosity

Chapter 101 - Generosity

Kai stretched his limbs under the white sheets. His body ached and complained. Ironically his legs were the least sore, probably because he concentrated most of Empower on them.

Not too bad.

This kind of pain had beco like an old friend over the years. Not acute enough to really bother him, Kai found he almost enjoyed it. It was proof he had overco his limits and grown stronger.

Spirits rcy, have I beco a masochist?

Inspecting himself in the mirror, he noticed the consequences of yesterdays hurry to get to bed. His light hair shot in every direction. Kai spent a few minutes fighting against his unruly locks to look less disheveled. The result wasnt perfect, but he didnt look like a hobo anymore.

Maybe I should cut them again. Short hair is so much more convenient.

A pair of gray eyes on a tan face stared back at him. His chubby cheeks were slimr, having lost so of their baby fat. There was no doubt, he was about to go through puberty a second ti.

Im definitely a bit biased, but I think I look good.

His body certainly looked infinitely better than it ever did in his previous life. Sculpted with lean muscles and flexible like a gymnast. After surviving Elijahs grueling training, there was no other possible result.

Im ripped, it's going to be nice having the body of an adult too.

Kai had mostly stopped staring at his abs in the mirror by now. Though he occasionally had a relapse. Feeling his narcissism bubbling to the surface, he proceeded with his round of ditation by the shore.

It was a pleasant day, the heat of sumr still months away. The crystal water shimred in the rising sun, and the calls of seabirds filled the air. Towards the end of the bay, an osprey dived beneath the surface, rerging victorious with a squirming fish between its talons.

Sylspring was nice, but nothing could beat living by the beach. He could understand how the governors plans had been so successful. Who wouldnt want to retire here? Heck, even living his whole life like this wouldnt be half bad. A peaceful existence away from trouble and problems.

Ive already tried that in Whiteshore. The world always cos knocking eventually. But maybe one day

Kai evened his breaths, letting the rest of the world fade in the background. His mana was full, but his elental reserves were low. Natural regeneration didnt convert many elents. Before his journey, he was filled with almost exclusively unattuned essence for Empower.

He only had a small stash of Water mana and his collection of Space motes. With Attuned ditation, the elents he had an affinity for shone brightly in his vision. Kai fell into the rhythm of converting the swirling particles. Trails of colored speckles stread around him as they were gradually absorbed.

Water and Nature barely required a thought thanks to their respective skills. Earth was harder, but with a little coaxing, it also fell in line. Thats where the easy ones finished. Under the morning light, Shadow mana fled away. Instead of spending hours literally chasing shadows, he preferred waiting till nightfall. That left Space, which remained as elusive as ever. He only caught a few motes by happenstance.

Satisfied with his haul, Kai found Elijah already waiting behind him with two swords stuck in the sand.

Wielding one of them, the ever-pale man threw the shorter one at him.

Guess were gonna skip pleasantries.

The man didnt wait for him, dashing forward in a lounge. Kai barely had ti to raise his guard and deflect the blow, putting him in an awkward position.

Without giving him a breath to recompose, Elijah pressed with a flurry of blows.

Nothing quite like the butler trying to cut into pieces to welco back.

His stray thoughts quickly fell away, and only their swords remained. Sharp clanks, sand and a lot of sweat. Any distraction was a risk he couldnt afford. Kai vainly tried to change the tempo of the battle, but he was forced on the defensive.

Tapping into his recently replenished reserves, it was ti to get serious. His movents grew faster, and blades of water flew through the hair.

Elijah responded in kind. Shadows darkened the day and gusts of wind disrupted his spellwork. He cast no direct elental attack, but those were more than enough to put him on the back foot.

Kai gave his all, his mind flashed between different tasks, his body moving on instinct following his muscle mory. Dodging, defending and occasionally striking back.

His shirt got slashed when Elijah leaped out of the shadows behind his back. Kai activated Mana Sense to keep track of the battlefield. Another burden for his mind to juggle.

The mans rapid movents were hard to follow through the shadows. Kais reaction was too slow to properly respond to the attacks. He couldnt afford to give Mana Sense the focus it needed to pierce the shroud. Another jab almost skewered him.

It was ti to change tactics. He was burning through his mana faster than Elijah. He would never win in a battle of attrition.

With a sweep of Water mana, a veil of mist condensed around him. If Elijah was keeping his Strength and Perception at his level, that would even the playing field. A pulse of Earth served to locate his enemy position. In that instant, Kai squeezed what remained of his reserves. He would only get one chance. Empower surged through his veins, and he leaped, slashing with all his strength.

His sword cut through the figure. It was just another shadow. Stunned and failing to et the expected resistance, his body lunged forward. Kai scrambled to regain his balance when a cold feeling touched his neck.

Shadows and mist dispersed in a heartbeat. Elijah stood over him, blade tickling his neck.

Kai huffed, I thought I had you this ti.

The butler smirked, Youre not quite there.

Just because you have more mana than .

I used half of what you did.

Yes, but with your skills you can create double the result with half the cost, its not fair, Kai grumbled. And yes, I know I cant expect to have a fair fight, but do the odds always need to be so stacked against ?

There is more to learn from a defeat than a victory. Elijah lectured him on the familiar points. By fighting soone stronger, smarter, and generally better than you in every way, other foes will seem easy. Thus, when you et a stronger adversary, you wont be.

Kai rolled his eyes, not bothering to argue a losing battle. Elijah loved kicking his ass and then coming up with excuses why it was all for his benefit. Each ti it got close to a fair fight, he upped his ga.

Kai accepted the butlers cold hand to get to his feet. As you say, oh mighty teacher. Im humbled by your generosity.

Glad were on the sa page, brat. Now go make yourself presentable and get breakfast.

Are we done already? Kai was puzzled. They had gone all out in that fight, but his exhaustion had never stopped Elijah from demanding more.

No physical training? Or perception exercises? Or marathon through the jungle while you try to kill ?

If you want to go for another round, I can indulge you, Elijah reached for his sword.

No, thats not necessary, Kai bolted towards his house. I'll ditate on what I could have done better.

He wasnt going to waste the butlers strange fit of benevolence. His low mana was already making him feel lightheaded. He sat under the shower, refilling his reserves to a more comfortable level. In his fight with Elijah, he had managed to consu what lasted him for the entire journey from Sylspring.

Making sure to properly dry his hair with Water magic, Kai put on a new pair of clothes. The sleeves were a bit short.

Damn, growth spurt. Ill need to change my wardrobe. Again.

Trying out a new pair, Kai nodded to the mirror. He made his way to the southern end of the estate. The garden was as lush and verdant as he rembered.

How was your family? Did they settle in well? Dora welcod him inside her lab. Two boiling cauldrons in front of her.

Yeah, the new house is nice. Much better than the one in Greenside. Kai took a seat and began recounting his journey while she finished her brewing.

Dont worry, dear. Its normal to be upset when you see your mother with soone who isnt your father. Its a weird feeling when one of your parents remarries.

Yes, its just His thoughts ca out in inarticulate phrases. The guilt and regret over his dads death had resurfaced. With Moui it looked like his family were definitively moving on, and it felt like a betrayal. No matter if his mind knew it was irrational.

Letting go of the past can be hard, but its the only way to move forward, Dora got what he was saying despite his lack of coherence. This Moui seems like a decent fellow, and you like him, right?

Kai shrugged, Hes alright.

Well, itll be weird for a while, but you get used to it. So things just take ti, Dora turned towards him with her creation. Here, try this.

He accepted the glass, suspiciously observing the cyan potion. Despite the unnatural color, it looked fine, almost appealing. Uniform color and consistency, no weird slls.

Is this one of the final recipes?

Yes, I worked hard on the taste too, Dora looked at him expectantly.

Putting aside his doubts, Kai drank the concoction in one breath. It tasted like mint toothpaste. A refreshing feeling swept through his body and mind. Stretching his body, he could hardly feel any ache, and in seconds even, that was gone.

What was that? Its amazing.

Dora put her hands at her sides. Do you expect an alchemist to reveal all its secrets?

Ehm, sorry auntie, I

Here you go! This is for you. Dora slapped a book in his hands, beaming proudly.

Elegant cursive letters stood out on the leather cover: Practical Potions from the Baquaire Archipelago, by Theodora Etinam.

Is this really it? Kai looked with wonder. You finally completed it?

Dora fixed her red curls. Recipes can always be improved but, of course I did it! All the potions can be made with ingredients found around the archipelago.

Congratulations, auntie. I knew you could do anything.

Youll make blush, Dora giggled. But you can keep the flattery going.

They shared more congratulations. His teacher excitedly showed him the contents of the book. Co on, we have to try them.

Then they ran to the garden to gather the herbs. With just a brief pause at noon to cook lunch, hours flew by. There were forty-nine recipes in the book. They were all easy by Doras standards, which ant Kai had no hopes of brewing most of them. For now.

Maybe you can improve on it one day and write an updated edition, Dora ruffled his hair. Alchemy is a never-ending journey.

Ill do my best, Kai promised.

Even if it might take so decades.

With Dora watching over him and providing suggestions, he successfully brewed Kais Hunting Redy. An orange-tier antidote for the drakes that lived in the heart of Veeryd. The cyan tonic he drank this morning was also present in the book. It was the eleventh recipe, lovingly called Kais Vigor. There was a surprisingly high amount of potions that had his na in the title.

These are not the official nas, right? Kai asked jokingly, but not really.

I wanted to show your contribution to this book. Dora furrowed her brows. Why, you don't like them?

No, its not that. They are great, I just

Dora burst into laughter, Dont worry, dear. Your copy is the only one with the real nas. Everyone else gets a generic Warriors Restoration.

Kai could feel his ears burning again. The alchemists booming laughter proved it had been no coincidence.

Dora smiled brightly. We can try Kais Sweet Dreams next.

Yateis rcy! I need a hole to hide.

An unknownbut extrely vastamount of embarrassnt later, they were having dinner together. The alchemy session had gone on without either of them getting tired. Despite the debatable na choice, Kai couldnt wait to plunge himself into the book and try all the recipes.

So when are you planning to publish it? He asked. The whole reason she used local ingredients was to make them easily available to people. If that book was released for free, it was sure to cause colossal waves in the local market.

In a few years, probably, Dora said, leaving him baffled.

A few years! Kai exclaid. I an, Why that long?

He imdiately felt ashad of the relief he felt. It sure would be nice to have the exclusive on them, but their aim was to improve life on the archipelago, not to make him rich.

Dora sighed sadly. The book would attract too much attention. Even if I published it anonymously people would start asking questions. And you know

I see. Thats a pity, Kai did his absolute best to sound sincere. But can I keep this book, right?

Damn, Im a monster.

Of course, dear. You helped a lot with the testing," Dora stood up to get a mango pie. Just dont share any of the most elaborate recipes.

Of course, Aunty. Ill keep them for myself.

Im definitely going to hell.

A knock from the door signaled the arrival of the butler. Virya wants to see you, he simply announced. You can finish your plate, but be quick.

Kai nodded, dispatching the pie in seconds. Elijah shared a look with Dora and held the door open for him. The butler didnt follow him outside. Left alone, Kai headed for the mansion when he caught sight of a figure under the pavilion.

Virya reading a book under the moonlight with no other crystal or lamp. Fixing his clothes, he changed direction. Even though his sight had gotten good, he needed to squint to get a glimpse of the title.

Co, child. The mage closed her book with a snap, putting her hand on the cover. Her piercing orange eyes moved on him.